The county government of Mombasa has deployed seven patrol boats to boost security and safety along all public beaches in the county.

The move comes a day after two people lost their lives after a boat they were in capsized at the Jomo Kenyatta Public beach commonly known us Pirates on Sunday.

The two were among 12 family members who had travelled from Nairobi and had hired a boat for a short trip into the deep seas before their boat capsized.

"We have deployed seven patrol boats along all our public beaches. We shall have four here at pirates because it is the mostly frequented. Another boat will be along the island with the rest deployed across in Likoni," said Nassir.

Nassir was speaking after visiting the Jomo Kenyatta public beach Monday afternoon where he met revellers and also visited the Kenya Red cross emergency stand stationed at the beach.

He said that each boat will have a Kenya Coast Guard officer, a life guard officers as well as youths with diving experience recruited by the county for the festive season.

"Yes accidents do happen but we have everything under control. I want to assure Mombasa residents and all visitors around of their safety and security," he said.

The governor confirmed that he has spoken to families of the deceased and those recuperating in hospital.

He however did not disclose much about their discussions as families prepare to lay their loved ones to rest.

He urged the media to allow them mourn in private.

"Let us not focus on the negativity, but rather focus on the efforts made by the county to beef up safety  and security," Nassir said.

Earlier on Monday, the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya banned swimming along the beaches of the Indian Ocean past 5 pm following the death of two family members on Sunday.

Mvurya was speaking after touring Diani beach in Kwale county.

He was accompanied by Kenya Maritime Officials led by the chairman Hamisi Mwaguya alongside government officials together with members of the Kenya Redcross Society led by Mombasa chairman Mahmoud Noor.

"We don’t expect to see anyone at the beach past 5:30 pm, and we have made this decision after wide consultations with different stakeholders," Mvurya said.

The CS also said they have directed that all boats operating in the ocean be inspected to ensure safety. 

"We want all the boats to have safety gear such as floaters because we have realised that some have vests that even look like reflector jackets," he said.

Nassir however said that Mombasa county will consult the CS over the ban saying that some functions were devolved.

"Waziri has good reasons for the ban. But we shall have consultations with him to see how we can improve on the safety. I am alive to the fact that the move will affect some businesses, " he said.